Bedfordshire police trialling life saving nasal spray
Nasal naloxone reverses the impact of an opioid overdose
Bedfordshire police are trialling a life saving nasal spray across the county.
Nasal naloxone is a medication which reverses the impact of an opioid overdose and can be used whilst waiting for medical professionals to arrive.
During an opioid overdose, receptors in the brain and body are blocked off which can stop the respiratory system from working.
But if used quickly, nasal naloxone can reverse the effects of the drug by displacing opioid drug molecules from said receptors.
"Can be really positive in preventing somebody's death"
Dani Bailey, DCI at Beds police, said "the kit is very small, probably no bigger than a matchbox.
"So it's not going to be too cumbersome on the officers carrying additional kits around with them but the effects can be really positive in preventing somebody's death."
Once administered, it typically takes effect within a couple of minutes and can last up to 40 minutes, giving paramedics times to arrive.
Naloxone can be administered multiple times and if used on someone who doesn't have opioids in their system, it will not have any effect.
In the neighbouring county of Cambridgeshire, the drug is already being used by officers. According to DCI Bailey, so far "they've issued nasal naloxone on five occasions", saving five lives.